Off Season

When Sharon's ex-husband, Red, invites her to join him for a winter retreat, she agrees. After all, they've moved past what ails them, she will be on sabbatical fine tuning a PhD dissertation, and he needs a respite from an illness.

Why not enjoy the charms of a southern California beach town off season?

On the other hand, what else might he have in mind and what will she face if she lets her guard down?

Soothed by sea breezes and ocean views, they become fascinated with their mysterious landlord and her late partner, a Fauvist painter. Then, Red is befriended by a flirty neighbor and her surfer husband, while Sharon catches the eye of a retiree who shares her literary passions.

Turns out, off season is more than a breather - off season can be a promise of renewal.

And then, the winds of pandemic blow in.

Randy Kraft writes fiction and book reviews, and occasionally coaches aspiring writers. She holds a Masters in Writing and an MBA. She is a retired freelance journalist for regional and national magazines, as well as an education, business, culture and city reporter for weekly newspapers. She has also been a marketing and communications strategist for non-profits. Born and raised in NYC, since she migrated west she has published three novels and a collection of short stories, and several stories have appeared in literary magazines. Follow her book reviews and literary blog at randykraft.substack.com.